Electric hand dryers are now easier than ever to pick up at local wholesalers and wire in. However, for the safety and convenience of the user, it’s important to consider a few factors first to ensure that you have what you need in place before installing a hand dryer …
Before you install an electric hand dryer, there are a couple of things you need to take into consideration. One of these is to simply make sure that you can install everything safely with ample clearance for ease of access to basins and cubicles and around the washroom.
Location, Location
Positioning your hand dryer correctly is critical for smooth flow of traffic around the washroom. Choose a location which is not obstructing access to basins and cubicles, ideally on a wall which does not form part of the way in and out and which is close to an existing ring main. An automatic hands-under dryer (like the Tekflo® Classic) will need to be located at least 2 feet above a surface to prevent accidental activation. A hands-in dryer (like the Tekflo® Blade) will need to be positioned so that the bottom of the dryer is 2 feet above the floor to enable easy use.
First-Fix Electrics
Any first fix electrical work should be carried out by a qualified electrician. Finding a reputable, certified professional will mean their work is covered and will ensure your insurance remains valid. Their work will be made significantly easier however, if you first locate the ring main using a detector. This will give you a clear idea which walls you can consider for use and whether any additional cabling needs to be run in order for you to put in a spur ready for the hand dryer.
Make It Easy On Yourself
Studded walls are easier to wire as they have a void in between the plasterboard so cable can be easily fed in from behind. However, a masonry wall will require cable to be directed in either via trunking or by chasing a channel into the plaster. This can cause added expense through patching up and repainting. Therefore, it is a good idea to try to locate the automatic hand dryer on a wall which backs onto a store cupboard, for example, so unsightly cables can be routed in from the back without damaging the masonry.
Safety Considerations
Whilst some hand dryers are supplied with pre-built sockets, UK regulations state that bathroom appliances should be wired into an un-switched fuse spur and not plugged into a wall socket, unless it can be safely done 3 metres away from all water sources. Some hand dryers are supplied with a tray to collect water droplets (such as the Tekflo® Blade) but care should be taken not to position your dryer on a main concourse as excess water on the floor can present a slip hazard.
Once your first fix is in place, you are ready to install your hand dryer. For full details on how to do this please consult our comprehensive installation guides (downloadable from our online documents and downloads page). For more details, or to discuss our full hand dryer range please browse our website or call 01509 323036 and speak to one of our technical advisors who will be able to assist you further.
